I'm obsessed - it can't be healthy

after years of yearning to get away, I've got my ticket booked for India & Sri lanka & a rough itinerary worked out.

but the thing is, I'm obsessed. I can't stop reading books about India (travel guides, travel stories, books on religions etc), looking at websites, reading forums and I lie in bed running over this and that. I can hardly concentrate at work.
I was a bit ill over the weekend and in a semi delirious state in the night kept having Calcutta Calcutta Calcutta running through my mind. tho that should be Kolkata of course. But I'm not even going to Calcutta!

I don't leave the UK til Nov and don't get to India 'til Jan. This is going to drive me nuts - what can I do?

I'm worried that I'm going to imprint my mind with too many versions of 'other people's India'.

You are heading straight into an India overkill.

Just relax.

For how long are you going to be in India and Sri Lanka?
It sounds like you have the bug, really bad. I have been told that one cannot start planning their trip for the next travel season until the monsoon is actually in full swing. So going by that, you really should not start obsession for at least a few more weeks...

Woodlouse, I've been on the same boat for the last year - it's got to the point where I think maybe I'm a bit too well informed. Now I'm off in 4 weeks, but won't get to India for about 4 months, but I'm sure being on the road will curb the obsession.

The best thing you can do is find another country to obsess about for a while, read some travel books about South America or something, it'll get your mind off the Big One. I've recently become very interested in Sudan/Ethiopia area

However, from what I understand from the great advice I've got from the very helpful 'old hands' on this forum, nothing can really prepare you for your landing, so I wouldn't worry about your perceptions or expectations.

IM is the best thing to fall back on, but here's the catch - reading all the reports on the forum will only fuel your obsession further. There's only one certain way to get that monkey off your back.

Get over to India ASAP!

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! Don't worry, it's not obsession....it's, ah...being thorough....yeah, that's it..thorough.

Hang around here a while and you will be in good company. India is something that does not go away, don't fight it!

hi byronic
SL 2 months and India nearly 4 months

ok, so tonight I've painted a picture of a tree (and hurray, it isn't even an Indian tree!)

Before my first trip to India, I was full of other peoples impressions, when I finally did arrive it was like coming home. It is all good and helps to make the place feel a little familiar.

Woodlouse,

Don't worry, you are not alone.

I thought I might be able to squeeze in a few months later this year in India and the way things are falling into place I might have to wait 2 years.

2 YEARS!

I don't think I can bare (bear?) it! It will all become clear in the next month. If I can't go for two years I'm going to chuck out all my India books and guides, not read any indian fiction, not watch Indian movies and stop visiting this site. I think that will be the only way I'll be able to get it out of my blood.

Only to have it reappear in 2 years and the cycle begins all over again...

Punarjanam !!

You were born in Kolkata in India in your previous birth and now that country is calling you. I won't be surprised if you start recollecting incidents from your previous life when you finally do land in India!!

Just joking, of course ! This is normal and is a healthy obsession. Enjoy your trip.

Find who is not obsessed on this forum.
The brighter side is only 200+ days.

i myself am going through the same obsession, it first started out from my 3d class, and met a wonderful chatmate (desi)... and started this india phenomena. Couldn't stop reading about india, reveling about the art... and I actually started to learn hindi (pathetic..hehehe) and been going to indian art class (I'm a painter). .... the toughest part was... I've got this fetish for the indian guys. (even if there was a lot of eligible filipino bachelors i could date with..) it's insane !

Hello Woodlouse! What a fantastic user name

I don'tknow what it is about India that makes people feel like you are doing. I don't know what it is that makes people come here for months on their first visit.

I suppose there must be people who feel this way about Brighton? or Bognor?

...No? Well, perhaps not It is true that I used to be able to spend 6 months thinking through and planning a 2 week sailing cruise on the South Cornish coast, but then boat people tend to be obsessives, too.

But whatever it is I guess you've got it. Enjoy. If you spend your time on IndiaMike it will get worse ---so I expect we'll be seeing you around quite a lot

[QUOTE=woodlouse]after years of yearning to get away, I've got my ticket booked for India & Sri lanka & a rough itinerary worked out.

at least you know when you are going. i have no idea when i can go back.
one day...

Having been in the same situation I was even worried that I would not live to see India , changed the flight to leave 6 months ealier

Well I have to say that I have met one or two very wonderful Philipino ladies! But I'd better not say that too loud or my Indian girlfriend will be upset.

Just don't be too encouraging where your Indian men are concerned: you might get more of a response than you bargained for Take a look at this This Thread Here but DO NOT let it put you off this wonderful country and its, by majority, well-behaved people.